[pennyrelf]

 Louise our ginger chicken has a sore foot. The pad underneath is swollen and hot to touch  as is the big middle toe, just like a rose thorn wound on a hand. Does she need antibiotics? 
We have bathed the foot in TCP and warm water so far. She is unwilling to scratch or walk very far. Any advice would be appreciated. 

[Casey76]

It may need antibiotics.

It could be from a scratch, or the beginning of bumblefoot (which is a staphylococcal infection).

Best to check with a vet just to be on the safe side.

[Helenaj]

If there's no obvious wound or scratch that may have introduced infection, then a trip to the vets is recommended if only to eliminate anything serious. Could anyone have stepped on her foot and broken a bone/pulled a ligament?

[pennyrelf]

Thanks chaps! we are off to the vets tomorrow.